Dining News, Jan. 10

Jan. 9, 2013

Start training for Winefest

Winefest Des Moines has announced monthly educational events, called Wine Flights, leading up to the festival in June. Once a month through May, Winefest will partner with local wine retailers to host sessions aimed at strength­ening wine knowledge and appreciation.

For the first session on Tuesday, learn about pinot noir from Gateway Market certified sommelier Abbe Hendricks.

Deconstruct pinot noir, learn about its most common clones, then put them all back together to create your own blend, just the way you like it. Centro pizza will be served.

The session begins at 6:30 p.m. and will be hosted at South Union Bread Cafe, 1007 Locust St.

Johnston bar has new owners

Mary Ann and Brian Lee have opened Doc’s Lounge in Westfield Plaza, the retail center behind McDonald’s and north of Dahl’s Foods in Johnston.

The bar at 8805 Chambery Blvd. opened in late November. It offers karaoke on Tuesday and Saturday nights and trivia games on Tuesday. There are drink specials and occasional live music, Mary Ann Lee said.

W’s Lounge operated in that space for about a year before the Lees took it over.

Doc’s Lounge is open 1 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Call 278-7090 or visit the bar’s website at www.docsinjohnston.com.

Merle Hay area is a busy place

Construction has started on a $3 million, 9,300-square-foot retail center at 5824 Douglas Ave. in Des Moines, at the southwest corner of Merle Hay Road and Douglas Avenue on the site of the former Firestone Tire center.

Developer Rich Eychaner, who has helped revitalize other properties at the nearby busy intersection, said his new retail center will house two restaurants, a yogurt shop and a hair salon. He would not be specific about the names of tenants.

• A new Hardee’s restaurant at 3621 Merle Hay Road has replaced an old one that had been shuttered as a Hardee’s for several years.

The old building was originally a Hardee’s but more recently housed other businesses, including a Car City dealership.

Cheers to your inner artist

Amy Ragan and Katie Miller have started a painting and cocktails business called Wine and Canvas.

Classes are held at various local restaurants and bars about eight to 10 times a month in the evenings. Participants paint pictures under the direction of an art teacher, while enjoying food and beverages.

Hot for Bubba: Event sold out

All 450 seats for Orches­trate Management’s pop-up restaurant, Bubba, sched­uled for tonight, Friday and Saturday, have sold out. The restaurant will be hosted by Hoyt Sherman Place. A waiting list for spots that might open due to cancellations has already exceeded 20 names for the four-course southern menu with cocktail pairings.

The feedback has prompted Bubba creators Christopher Diebel and chef Scott Stroud to consider bringing the concept back in the future. “We are going to analyze the process after our first run and decide what the next steps may be,” Stroud said.